IN THE DRAFTING GROUPS

The Drafting Group on the Istanbul Declaration received a composite draft that contained
a number of alternative paragraphs from the drafts of the EU, the G-77/CHINA and
TURKEY. Among the issues addressed in the alternative sections were: a right to
housing; rural settlements; production and consumption patterns; local government; and
resources and institutional arrangements necessary for implementation. Chair Kazildeli
(Turkey) was asked to prepare a new, shorter and more focused draft, to be discussed
Monday.

The Drafting Group on the "right to housing" completed its work yesterday morning.
Consensus was reached on all relevant paragraphs (2bis, 9,
13, 24, 44 and 44bis) with the exception of
language regarding illegal forced evictions in 44bis(b). The "full and
progressive realization of the right to adequate housing" is reaffirmed. Text regarding the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the responsibilities and obligations of
Governments is also agreed.